Bulls’ Thibodeau: Derrick Rose Feeling Like His Old Self Again

NBA via Chicago Bulls(CHICAGO) — While it may seem as too little too late for this season, Chicago Bulls fans have hope for next season, as head coach Tom Thibodeau says point guard Derrick Rose is back to full strength mentally and physically.

Thibodeau says he worked out Rose about a week ago, and he noticed a significant improvement.

Rose missed the entire 2012-2013 season after recovering from a torn ACL he suffered during the opening round of the playoffs. While he was medically cleared to return towards the end of hte regular season, Rose did not feel like he was ready to make his return to the court. But now, he’s ready to go, according to his coach.

“Watching the way he’s moving now, there’s a confidence,” Thibodeau said. “[Reporters] may not have been able to see the total work he was putting in. But he was putting in an enormous amount of work each and every day. He just never got to the explosiveness he was comfortable with. I think he’s there now. He feels great, and that’s the most important thing.”

When healthy, Rose is arguably one of the top players in the NBA. The 24-year-old was the NBA MVP during the 2010-2011 season and is one of the most dynamic players in the NBA.